Saturday, June 9, 2012

William H. Earl & Charles N. Eral.

William H. Earl was born in Richland county, Ohio, November 2, 1829. Moved with his parents to Indiana. Came to Kansas in 1809, locating on a homestead one mile east of Eskridge, where he died December 20, 1885. In 1877, Mr. Earl opened a small country store at the "Corners." In 1880, when the M. A. & B. was completed to Eskridge the small stock of goods was removed to the new town, and from a small beginning a large trade was soon established. After his death, in 1885, the business was continued under the firm name of Earl Bros., until Charlie's death, November 23, 1899, since which time Mr. W. H. Earl, Jr., has conducted one of the largest dry goods and grocery stores in the county. In the Civil war Mr. Earl was a member of the 4th Iowa Battery, the photograph showing him in his uniform being the only one available. Of the family but four children survive, two of the daughters living in Washington and two sons in Eskridge, Mr. Ed. Earl and Mr. W. H. Earl, Jr., proprietor of the store.  In November of 1883, W. H. Earl's house bruned near Eskridge; loss was $2,000.

Mr. Charlse N. EARL  was one of the men holding official place in Wabaunsee county who died in office. He had been mayor of his home town, Eskridge, two terms, and was serving his second term as county commissioner He came to Wabaunsee county in 1869. with his parents, when he was but a small boy. Grew up in the old home near the "Corners," of  which his father's homestead was a part. Carried on the mercantile business, the legacy of his father, for twenty- live years, and during that time never turned a deaf ear to the needy nor refused to lend a helping hand to the distressed. Mr. Earl died December 28, 1899. His estimable widow and an only daughter reside in Eskridge a town in which Mr. Earl always took a leading part in the upbuilding.

No comments: